This is the forum of "non-idiots", right?
Down in McAlester they still have a street named after him, but the guy was a criminal that used his position to line his pockets, and those of his supporters, at the expense of taxpayers, is that in dispute?
I suppose he's looked at as some Robin Hood of the trailer park? He stole from the state as a whole, but greased his friends?
Just ran across some paperwork on a few of his "corporations", and can't believe he has been taken seriously.
Yep. He was crooked as could be. Forever.
The thing these guys do is very simple, straightforward, and extremely effective. And makes everyone in their districts love them. The same formula applied with Stipe as it did with Mayor Daley, Huey Long, and all the upfront criminals who have/had an extremely loyal following for their entire careers.
They deliver. Stipe took home a LOT of money to his district. Daley gave Chicago police, fire, trash collection, water, sewer - all the city services that people want and expect - and don't care if there is a 10% "commission" attached. Huey Long delivered to Louisiana in a huge way.
Each of them delivered goods/services/infrastructure to the people who elected them. It's not just a Democrat thing (as these 3 examples), it extends to the Republicans, too. The biggest visible difference over the decades - and yes, this is a mild generalization, but not much - is that when Democrats are doing it, the people get the benefit. When Republicans do it, the 1% get the benefit. Make no mistake - the graft and corruption is there no matter what. And that will never change.
So, do you want the get the stuff you pay for - minus 10%? Or do you want the current state of things in Oklahoma as relate to roads, infrastructure, education (cuts of $200 + million), driving away our most talented young people because of lack of opportunity, keeping innovative companies from coming to the state (laws about taxing solar to cater to oil), and in general appearing to the outside, real world as just a bunch of "hicks from the sticks" who would rather waste time repeatedly on passing more unconstitutional laws ??
Would you rather have the mindset and reputation for the state of Failin'. Or the steadily improving versions of all those things we had under Brad Henry?